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178 . WILD MARGARET. a /
and weighed down by sorrow as she was, was still the cam)
Margaret, strong of purpose and self-reliant. Love sh
had done with forever, happiness had passed beyond her
reach, but her art still remained to her—the mistress whoin
_ those who serve find faithful to the end. i
As the Rose sailed into the harbor, Captain Daniel came
up to Margaret. , |
*‘We’re nearing port, miss,” he said, ‘‘ but it don’t fol-
low that you and the Rose need part company. Brest’s a
poor place for a lady to be turned out in. Ifso be as you
care to go on with us, why I’ll pick up a few things in the
port here to make the cabin more fit for you. I’m think-
ing, if you’ll forgive me, miss, that the sea is doing you
good, and that if you’d come on with the Rose as faras _
Leghorn in Italy——”’
Margaret’s face flushed faintly, and a light, the first that
had shone there for many a day, glowed in her eyes. The
captain saw it and pressed his point. ;
‘‘Italy’s the place, miss!” he said, persuasively. ‘‘ At
Leghorn you’d be near Florence and Rome, and all the
- grand sights! But here, Brest, it’s only a ‘one hoss’
place.” \
Margaret hesitated. The prospect of going to Italy con-
tained as much pleasantness as any prospect could for her.
‘‘Are you sure that I should not be in the way?’’ she
asked, gently. ‘‘ You are all so kind, and make such sac-
. rifices for me——”’ . .
‘Don’t say another word, Miss Leslie,’? said Captain. .
_ Daniel; for **Leslie’’ was the name Mrs. Day had given
to her. ‘*Me and my crew will be proud to have you with
us!" _
Margaret went ashore at Brest for a few hours, and got
. 60me articles of dress, and the Rose, staying no longer
than was necessary to obtain provisions, set sail for Leg-
horn.
The weather was fine and the wind favorable, and in
due course the Rose reached the Italian port.
Margaret’s parting with Captain Daniel was character-
istic of them both. "When she offered to pay for her pas-
sage, the captain refused, at first politely, and then almost
roughly and sternly. |
‘Why, Miss Leslie, sakes alive!’ he exclaimed, ‘‘I’d
rather see the Rose at the bottom of the sea than me or
my men should take a shilling piece from you; and all I say
is, if you want to pleasure us, why, when you’re tired 0
Italy and I—talians, drop a line to Captain Daniel of Fal-
mouth, and the Rose shall come and fetch you away, and -
be proud to doit.” © ‘
Margaret could scarcely speak, but she managed to get